Recommended High School Classes & Graduation Requirements

Before you begin thinking about college, you need to get through high school. All Minnesota students are required to take the following to graduate from a Minnesota public high school. These courses are the same required for college admission. Stretch yourself and take the highest level offered at your school.

Students must complete a minimum of 21.5 course credits as follows:

Required Courses

Credits

Subject

4 credits

English/Language Arts

3 credits

Mathematics (including algebra, geometry and statistics/probability)

3 credits

Science (1 credit of biology plus 2 additional credits)

3.5 credits

Social Studies (including U.S. history, geography, world history, government/citizenship and economics)

1 credit

Art

7 credits

Electives

NOTE: Your school district may have additional requirements for graduation.

Recommended Optional Classes

High school gives you the opportunity to explore your interests through optional elective classes. You may be able to take classes in agriculture, business, computers, physical education, construction and much more. These classes would be the most helpful:

World Languages (Recommended: 2 years). Take at least two years of the same language. Many four-year colleges require a foreign language to receive a bachelor's degree. Your high school courses could be used to fulfill your college credit requirement.

Computer classes. It may not be required for graduation, but all students need to know how to use computer software programs.